ADDITIONAL AARP TIPS
Communications
A disaster plan includes communications and an emergency meeting place where families can go for protection or to reunite. Keep an old analog phone that can work when digital phones lose power. Teach the person you care for to text message and use social media to stay in contact.
Dementia
During an evacuation, a person with dementia may become anxious. The National Institute on Aging offers this advice: Remain calm and supportive. He or she is likely to respond to the tone you set. Do not leave him or her alone. Make sure the person is wearing an identification bracelet and identifying tags are sewn into clothes.
Fire safety/escape routes
Plan two ways out of every room in case of a fire or other emergency. Check for items like bookcases that could fall and block an escape path.
For more emergency preparedness suggestions from AARP, see createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/operation-emergency-prepare.html.
